Light Rail to Randwick

This consultation has concluded. This website was operational from 2011 to 2014 as a means to consult the community and show the benefits of light rail in Randwick City. The NSW Government will start construction on the CBD and South East Light Rail project after April 2015. For updates on construction refer to the Sydney Light Rail website: http://www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/latest/current-works

Randwick City Council continues to consult the local community about ways to reduce the impact of the construction of light rail in Randwick City. Future consultations will be conducted through our special consultation websitewww.yoursayrandwick.com.au.

Light rail to Randwick is happening!

Randwick City Council has worked hard to bring light rail to Randwick. The State Government has given formal planning approval for the project to commence in mid 2015 and be completed in 2019 or 2020. (Read the Minister's media release 4 June 2014).

Light rail will bring considerable benefits and create more than 500 construction jobs and support the growth of more than 4,000 jobs in education, health and research in Randwick City. Its construction will deliver a new, modern transport solution to service 42,000 UNSW students, 13,200 hospital and uni workers, 11,000 resident commuters, 7,000 TAFE students, 400,000 race-goers and millions more people who go to concerts, events and sporting matches at the sporting stadiums and Centennial Parklands.

We welcome light rail, but it will have a big impact on Randwick City. Many parking spaces will be lost, particularly around Anzac Parade and Kingsford and it will result in traffic changes and disruption.

To reduce the impact of light rail, Randwick Council released a light rail support plan on 17 April 2014 and this plan was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 29 April 2014. You can read more about the $68M support plan in our news section and download the supporting documents in the library.

COMMUNITY LIGHT RAIL SUPPORT PLAN COMMITTEE

Expressions of interest have now closed. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in being part of the Committee. Randwick Council will be in touch in the near future.

Randwick City Council is calling for expressions of interest from residents and business representatives to be part of our Community Light Rail Support Plan Commitee to provide feedback on the implementation of Council's light rail support plan. To register your interest in becoming involved, please fill out the Expression of Interest form. Closing Date: 5pm, Tuesday 27 May 2014

HAVE YOUR SAY - KINGSFORD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK

This survey is now closed. We wanted to know what you think about Council’s
plans to acquire land on Rainbow
Street in Kingsford next to the Kingsford 9-ways
roundabout to create a multi-storey car park. Is car parking important to you
and would this help local businesses and residents affected by light rail?

A copy of the report on this consultation survey is now in the document library.

Light rail to Randwick is happening!

Randwick City Council has worked hard to bring light rail to Randwick. The State Government has given formal planning approval for the project to commence in mid 2015 and be completed in 2019 or 2020. (Read the Minister's media release 4 June 2014).

Light rail will bring considerable benefits and create more than 500 construction jobs and support the growth of more than 4,000 jobs in education, health and research in Randwick City. Its construction will deliver a new, modern transport solution to service 42,000 UNSW students, 13,200 hospital and uni workers, 11,000 resident commuters, 7,000 TAFE students, 400,000 race-goers and millions more people who go to concerts, events and sporting matches at the sporting stadiums and Centennial Parklands.

We welcome light rail, but it will have a big impact on Randwick City. Many parking spaces will be lost, particularly around Anzac Parade and Kingsford and it will result in traffic changes and disruption.

To reduce the impact of light rail, Randwick Council released a light rail support plan on 17 April 2014 and this plan was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 29 April 2014. You can read more about the $68M support plan in our news section and download the supporting documents in the library.

COMMUNITY LIGHT RAIL SUPPORT PLAN COMMITTEE

Expressions of interest have now closed. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in being part of the Committee. Randwick Council will be in touch in the near future.

Randwick City Council is calling for expressions of interest from residents and business representatives to be part of our Community Light Rail Support Plan Commitee to provide feedback on the implementation of Council's light rail support plan. To register your interest in becoming involved, please fill out the Expression of Interest form. Closing Date: 5pm, Tuesday 27 May 2014

HAVE YOUR SAY - KINGSFORD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK

This survey is now closed. We wanted to know what you think about Council’s
plans to acquire land on Rainbow
Street in Kingsford next to the Kingsford 9-ways
roundabout to create a multi-storey car park. Is car parking important to you
and would this help local businesses and residents affected by light rail?

A copy of the report on this consultation survey is now in the document library.

This consultation has concluded. This website was operational from 2011 to 2014 as a means to consult the community and show the benefits of light rail in Randwick City. The NSW Government will start construction on the CBD and South East Light Rail project after April 2015. For updates on construction refer to the Sydney Light Rail website: http://www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/latest/current-works

Randwick City Council continues to consult the local community about ways to reduce the impact of the construction of light rail in Randwick City. Future consultations will be conducted through our special consultation websitewww.yoursayrandwick.com.au.

Randwick City Council has today (6 August
2014) announced the members of Council's newly established Community Light Rail
Support Plan Committee.

The Committee will provide an
additional avenue of consultation and feedback to Council over the next five
years on its Light Rail Support Plan.

The
light rail support plan proposes allocating $68M in future draft budgets,
subject to detailed community consultation, to build a multi-storey car park in
Kingsford, claw back street parking removed because of the light rail (such as
along Anzac Parade), upgrade drainage, create new urban plazas and develop
better cycleway connections.

Council will also be conducting wider
consultation with all affected residents, businesses and ratepayers and use our
established consultation methods such as local Precincts, www.yoursayrandwick.com.au and
Council's social media channels.

The
committee will meet this month to establish its terms of reference, a meeting
schedule and clarify the role of the group.

Randwick City Council has today (6 August
2014) announced the members of Council's newly established Community Light Rail
Support Plan Committee.

The Committee will provide an
additional avenue of consultation and feedback to Council over the next five
years on its Light Rail Support Plan.

The
light rail support plan proposes allocating $68M in future draft budgets,
subject to detailed community consultation, to build a multi-storey car park in
Kingsford, claw back street parking removed because of the light rail (such as
along Anzac Parade), upgrade drainage, create new urban plazas and develop
better cycleway connections.

Council will also be conducting wider
consultation with all affected residents, businesses and ratepayers and use our
established consultation methods such as local Precincts, www.yoursayrandwick.com.au and
Council's social media channels.

The
committee will meet this month to establish its terms of reference, a meeting
schedule and clarify the role of the group.

-undergrounding
of Power along Anzac Parade in line with the Urban Design objectives of the
proposal;

-loss
of parking, particularly arising from the location of the Kingsford light-rail
bus interchange. In lieu of compensation for the loss of parking in Kingsford
and Kensington, that the Kingsford Markets Site be transferred to council at no
cost;

-
concern in relation to tree losses and the requirement for an audit of the
trees scheduled for removal in the Randwick City Council area due to light
rail, with a report back to Councillors on this matter before the matter is
next debated

-
traffic modeling be brought forward to demonstration the local traffic impacts
at the following areas;

-
TfNSW needs to bring forward, and make public, its proposal for the bus changes
resulting from the implementation project;

4.
the Councillors nominate areas of concern or interest by sending wording for
any amendments for inclusion in the proposed draft Development Agreement to the
General Manager by next Tuesday (1 July 2014);

5.
Council defers its consideration of GM Report 20/14 to allow a Councillors’
Briefing to be held on Tuesday 1 July 2014.

TRANSFORMING SYDNEY: PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR $1.6B CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced the green light had been given for the $1.6 billion new CBD and South East Light Rail project.

The CBD and South East Light Rail will link Circular Quay and Central, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.

TRANSFORMING SYDNEY: PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR $1.6B CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced the green light had been given for the $1.6 billion new CBD and South East Light Rail project.

The CBD and South East Light Rail will link Circular Quay and Central, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.

It extends from Circular Quay along George Street to Central Station and Moore Park, then to Kingsford via Anzac Parade and Randwick via Alison Road and High Street.

“This is a priority project for the NSW Government that will transform Sydney, deliver over $4 billion worth of economic benefits and create 10,000 jobs for NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I am delighted the project has received formal planning approval. The NSW Government is getting on with the job of building new infrastructure that will improve services for transport customers, increase productivity and support economic growth.

“Light rail will bring major benefits for Sydneysiders including significantly improved access to modern and reliable public transport, access to sporting, entertainment, health, and education precincts, a boost to local businesses, and we have no doubt it will also result in urban renewal and economic development.”

Ms Berejiklian said approval of the CBD and South East Light Rail includes conditions to address key impacts during construction and operation of the new light rail system.

“We recognise that there are challenges ahead, and delivering a project of this scale in a busy urban environment will result in impacts to communities and businesses during construction.

“We have listened to the community and these conditions will ensure that during construction and operation of the CBD and South East Light Rail, potential environmental, noise and traffic impacts are managed well.

“I would like to thank the community, businesses, and our key project partners for their contributions and continued support on the CBD and South East Light Rail project and for the feedback provided.”

Ms Berejiklian said hundreds of community members and stakeholders attended information sessions held in their neighbourhood in recent months, taking the opportunity to find out more about light rail.

There were over 480 submissions made to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community informed throughout delivery of the project through project updates, letter box drops, the website, and notices in local newspapers.

Local business and community forums are also being established in each precinct along the light rail route.

The main contract to design, build, operate and maintain the new system is expected to be awarded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) by early 2015 with major construction commencing soon after.

The CBD and South East Light Rail will link Circular Quay and Central, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick

The project also includes the development of a pedestrian zone along George Street, between Hunter and Bathurst Streets

Includes 20 light rail stops along the 12 kilometre route

High frequency, ‘turn up and go’ services every two to three minutes during peak periods in the CBD and every five to six minutes between Moore Park and the Randwick and Kingsford branches

Major interchanges with ferry, heavy rail and bus services

A fleet of electric-powered Light Rail Vehicles’s (LRVs), with air conditioning and accessible low-floor design

A highly reliable service with the capability to carry up to 9000 passengers per hour in each direction

Public domain improvements including possible new public spaces, paving, trees, lighting and street furniture

Light rail to claim 750 parking spaces

SOUTHERN COURIER

MAY 20, 2014 12:00AM

No-PARKING signs are set to dominate Anzac Pde, with the $1.6 billion light rail line to wipe-out 458 spaces along the busy Kingsford - Kensington strip.

The heaviest loss will be at Kingsford, with 230 parking spaces to be lost near The Juniors club alone to accommodate the CBD to South East Light Rail project. A lifeline for the business precinct could be a $30.5 million plan to buy land and construct a multistorey carpark on the corner of Rainbow St and Anzac... Continue reading

Light rail to claim 750 parking spaces

SOUTHERN COURIER

MAY 20, 2014 12:00AM

No-PARKING signs are set to dominate Anzac Pde, with the $1.6 billion light rail line to wipe-out 458 spaces along the busy Kingsford - Kensington strip.

The heaviest loss will be at Kingsford, with 230 parking spaces to be lost near The Juniors club alone to accommodate the CBD to South East Light Rail project. A lifeline for the business precinct could be a $30.5 million plan to buy land and construct a multistorey carpark on the corner of Rainbow St and Anzac Pd

With the $1.6 billion light rail to Randwick set to wipe out 750 parking spaces, the spotlight is now on how to integrate this massive infrastructure project into the community without causing major damage to the existing fabric.

Angle parking and off- peak parking plans are now under investigation but the most ambitious idea is for a $30.5 million multistorey, timed carpark near the nine-ways intersection at Kingsford, where 458 spaces will be lost.

The council owns part of the site on the corner of Rainbow St and Anzac Pde, where The Rotary Markets are now held every Sunday.

But it would need to buy the rest (66 per cent) from Transport for NSW to build the multistorey carpark.

“The current Rainbow St site is zoned for eight storeys,” a council spokesman said.

“While there are numerous combinations of uses, a very preliminary option could be for two levels below- ground car parking, a supermarket at ground level, then two levels of car parking, with the remainder to be commercial.”

While the final shape and cost structure would be determined by the full council, the spokesman said the current proposal did not rely on carpark users being charged a fee.

The council is now seeking community input on the proposal to acquire the site for a carpark.

More than 200 people have completed the council survey already, with 67 per cent giving the nod to the plan.

Also, 58 per cent gauged parking in the Kingsford area now as very difficult or somewhat difficult.

Parking in Kingsford is already difficult according to a council survey Source: News Corp Australia

HAVE YOUR SAY

Randwick Council is seeking your views about whether it should consider acquiring land on Rainbow St, Kingsford, near the Kingsford roundabout for a multistorey carpark. Get online and visit lightrailtorandwick.com.au to have your say.

A Randwick City Council support plan to help
local residents and businesses affected by the proposed introduction of light
rail was endorsed at a meeting of Council on Tuesday 29 April 2014.

The light rail support plan proposes
allocating $68M in future draft budgets, subject to detailed community
consultation, to build a multi-storey car park in Kingsford, claw back street
parking removed because of the light rail (such as along Anzac Parade), upgrade
drainage, create new urban plazas... Continue reading

COUNCIL
ENDORSES $68 MILLION LIGHT RAIL SUPPORT PLAN

Media release
- Randwick City Council

Thursday
1 May 2014

A Randwick City Council support plan to help
local residents and businesses affected by the proposed introduction of light
rail was endorsed at a meeting of Council on Tuesday 29 April 2014.

The light rail support plan proposes
allocating $68M in future draft budgets, subject to detailed community
consultation, to build a multi-storey car park in Kingsford, claw back street
parking removed because of the light rail (such as along Anzac Parade), upgrade
drainage, create new urban plazas and develop better cycleway connections.

The NSW Government is expected to start work
later this year on the construction of the $1.6B project to build light rail
from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford.

Its construction will deliver a new, modern
transport solution to service 42,000 UNSW students, 13,200 hospital and uni
workers, 11,000 resident commuters, 7,000 TAFE students, 400,000 race-goers and
millions more people who go to concerts, events and sporting matches at the
sporting stadiums and Centennial Parklands.

However its construction will also result in
the loss of parking, removal of trees and changes to traffic flow around Anzac
Parade, Alison Road and High Street in Randwick.

Under
Transport for NSW’s current proposal, about 687 parking spaces will be lost
along the route, including parking on Anzac Parade, and about 280 trees could
be removed in the Randwick Local Government Area.

The
changes will affect the suburbs of Randwick, Kingsford and Kensington, where 60
per cent of the tree loss and 80 per cent of the parking loss will occur. It is
estimated that about 230 parking spaces will be lost at Kingsford near Souths
Juniors Leagues Club.

Randwick Mayor Scott Nash said Council’s
light rail support plan addresses these impacts and will ensure Randwick City
gets the most out of the new transport system.

"We welcome the introduction of light
rail in Randwick City and commend the Government on funding this project. Our
plan will support light rail and make sure Randwick City gets the most out of
this once in a generation opportunity to revitalise our City.

“I think this is a great project.
Getting light rail is a nine out of ten. Our plan will help make this
project a ten out of ten”, Mayor Nash said.

Randwick City Council’s five-year support
plan proposes to:

create
hundreds of new onstreet parking spaces (to reclaim those lost by the
introduction of light rail) by changing parallel parking to angle parking in
local streets near Anzac Parade;

purchase
land and construct a multi-storey car park at Kingsford 9-ways
roundabout;

build
new public plazas and close streets at Waratah Ave/Belmore Rd, Randwick; and
Meeks St/Anzac Pde, Kingsford; upgrade stormwater drainage;

build
east-west cycleways that connect with light rail stops;

build
bicycle lockers and racks near light rail stops; and

undertake
traffic calming works in residential streets.

“Light rail will bring considerable benefits
to our area. It will create between 500 and 700 jobs as a direct result of
construction, and it will support the growth of more than 4,000 jobs in
education, health and research in Randwick City,” Mayor Nash said.

“But with the benefits also come many
challenges and inevitable disruption to residents and businesses. Our plan is
to ensure we address these as much as possible.

“I want everyone in Randwick City to know
that Council is well aware of the concerns and that we are working hard on
developing the right solutions. Although this is a State Government project,
not a Council project, we’re working with all stakeholders to get the best
outcome we can for our City,” Mayor Nash said.

At its meeting last night Tuesday 29 April
2014, Council also resolved to conduct a detailed community consultation
program each year for the next five years about different components of the
light rail support plan.

Council will also establish a Community Light
Rail Support Plan Committee comprised of residents, businesses and community
groups to give feedback to Council on the implementation of the support plan.

“The community will be fully involved and
fully consulted over the next few years, as we plan for the introduction of
light rail. Randwick City Council is an award-winning Council because of
its well known, genuine commitment to community consultation before we make
major decisions.

We’ll be talking and meeting with local
businesses and residents, to get their ideas on how we can help make light rail
a success in our City. I’m looking forward to working constructively with
everyone to get the best results”, Mayor Nash said.

Randwick
City Council has today, Thursday 17 April 2014, released a draft light rail
support plan in response to the NSW Government’s CBD and South East Light Rail
project which proposes to spend $68 million over five years to increase parking
and support the introduction of light rail in Randwick City.

The
draft support plan will be considered by Councillors at a Council Meeting on
Tuesday 29 April 2014.

Randwick
City Council has today, Thursday 17 April 2014, released a draft light rail
support plan in response to the NSW Government’s CBD and South East Light Rail
project which proposes to spend $68 million over five years to increase parking
and support the introduction of light rail in Randwick City.

The
draft support plan will be considered by Councillors at a Council Meeting on
Tuesday 29 April 2014.

Contained
within the plan are a series of recommendations, design revisions and detailed
technical drawings in response to the Government's $1.6B light rail project
which will run from Circular Quay to Randwick
and Kingsford.

Mayor
Scott Nash said the support plan is about ensuring Randwick City
gets the most out of the new transport system.

"We
welcome the introduction of light rail in Randwick City
and commend the Government on their vision. Our draft plan is about supporting
light rail and making sure Randwick
City gets the most out of
this once in a generation opportunity to revitalise our City," Mayor Nash
said.

Council
is proposing to allocate $68M over five years to:

create hundreds of new onstreet parking spaces (to reclaim
those lost by the introduction of light rail) by changing parallel parking to
angle parking in local streets near Anzac Parade;

purchase land and construct a
multi-storey car park at Kingsford 9-ways roundabout;

build new public
plazas and close streets at Waratah
Ave/Belmore Rd, Randwick;
and Meeks St/Anzac Pde, Kingsford;

upgrade stormwater
drainage;

build east-west
cycleways that connect with light rail stops;

build bicycle
lockers and racks near light rail stops; and

undertake traffic
calming works in residential streets.

Council is continuing to
work with Transport for NSW over the details of the proposed light rail lines
to Kingsford and Randwick.
Some of the issues that Council considers should be included in any Development
Agreement with Transport for NSW are:

inclusion of
Council’s Light Rail Urban Design Guidelines;

pedestrianisation
of High Street between Wansey Road
and Botany Street.

relocating the
light rail stabling facility;

extending light
rail to Maroubra Junction;

provision of a
table of minimum footpath widths along Anzac Parade;

undergrounding
power lines along Anzac Parade;

swapping the
construction compound site from the Rainbow Street site to Anzac Parade south
of Sturt Street to provide for an additional 50 car parking spaces for the
Kingsford Town Centre and Souths Juniors;

maintaining some
car parking on Anzac Parade where configuration allows;

developing an
agreed process to assess trees for retention along the alignment (Wansey Road),
instead of leaving it to the discretion of the PPP;

provision of a
business liaison officer by TfNSW for our town centres;

development of a
business continuity plan in liaison with Council and Chambers of Commerce; and

input into
naming rights of light rail stations.

Mayor Scott Nash said:

“Light rail will bring considerable benefits to our area. It will
create between 500 and 700 jobs as a direct result of construction, and it will
support the growth of more than 4,000 jobs in education health and research in Randwick City,” Mayor Nash said.

“But with the benefits also come many challenges and inevitable disruption
to residents and businesses. Our plan is to ensure we address these as much as
possible.

“I want everyone in Randwick
City to know that Council
is well aware of their concerns and that we are working hard on developing the
right solutions. Although this is a State Government project, not a Council
project, we’re working with all stakeholders to get the best outcome we can for
our City,” Mayor Nash said.

The $68 million light rail support plan will be discussed by
Councillors at this month’s public Council meeting on Tuesday 29 April 2014 at Randwick Town Hall starting at 6pm.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced improvements to the CBD and South East Light Rail project as a result of community consultation, including changes to light rail stops in Randwick and a new pedestrian bridge adjacent to schools at Moore Park.

“The new light rail is a critical project for NSW that will improve public transport in Sydney, address congestion and provide future economic growth,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We have listened to the community and made a number of significant improvements to the light rail project thanks to feedback we received as part of the formal EIS process.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced improvements to the CBD and South East Light Rail project as a result of community consultation, including changes to light rail stops in Randwick and a new pedestrian bridge adjacent to schools at Moore Park.

“The new light rail is a critical project for NSW that will improve public transport in Sydney, address congestion and provide future economic growth,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We have listened to the community and made a number of significant improvements to the light rail project thanks to feedback we received as part of the formal EIS process.

“As a result of the community feedback, the Randwick interchange has been redesigned to retain three times more parkland at High Cross Park than previously proposed.

“This will make more green space available for local residents and ensure the integrity of the Randwick District War Memorial is maintained.”

The Moore Park light rail stop will be moved further south and will incorporate a brand new footbridge over Anzac Parade.

“The new bridge is a win for pedestrians and will improve safety for the students of Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High School accessing the Moore Park light rail stop,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We will also relocate two light rail stops from Wansey Road to Alison Road and High Street and keep a significant amount of existing on-street parking for local residents.

“The NSW Government has undertaken significant community and stakeholder consultation to better understand the needs of the community and our customers as light rail moves towards construction and future operation.”

Thousands of community members and stakeholders attended information sessions held in their neighbourhood during the EIS exhibition period in 2013, and more than 480 submissions were received.

“I am pleased that the feedback we received from the community has made such a positive difference to this project,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Feedback from the public has been carefully considered and issues raised have been responded to in an EIS Submissions Report that will now be reviewed by Planning and Infrastructure before a decision is made regarding planning approval in the coming months.

Subject to planning approval, construction on the CBD and South East Light Rail will begin this year and will take five to six years to complete.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: LIGHT RAIL TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND REVITALISE SYDNEY

Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced light rail would be built through the Sydney CBD to Randwick and Kingsford to reduce congestion and revitalise the city.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: LIGHT RAIL TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND REVITALISE SYDNEY

Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced light rail would be built through the Sydney CBD to Randwick and Kingsford to reduce congestion and revitalise the city.

The estimated $1.6 billion 12 kilometre light rail project will link Circular Quay and Central via George Street, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.

Light rail will be built in parallel with the implementation of a redesigned bus network to significantly reduce the number of buses clogging the CBD during the peak.

Barry O’Farrell MPPremier of NSWMEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 13 December 2012

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE:LIGHT RAIL TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND REVITALISE SYDNEY

Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced light rail would be built through the Sydney CBD to Randwick and Kingsford to reduce congestion and revitalise the city.

The estimated $1.6 billion 12 kilometre light rail project will link Circular Quay and Central via George Street, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.

Light rail will be built in parallel with the implementation of a redesigned bus network to significantly reduce the number of buses clogging the CBD during the peak.

Around 40 per cent of George Street will be pedestrianised, between Bathurst Street and Hunter Street, for light rail – meaning 60 per cent of George Street will still be accessible to private vehicles.

“This is a once-in-a-generation project to revitalise the centre of Sydney by reducing congestion and offering a fast, attractive public transport option to key locations,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“The NSW Government is getting on with the job of building for the future.”

Ms Berejiklian said light rail forms part of an integrated transport solution to fix congestion in the CBD which includes a redesigned bus network and train improvements outlined in Sydney’s Rail Future.

“Congestion on roads in the Sydney CBD and surrounding areas will only get worse as the number of jobs in the city grows and the population increases – we have to act and in a significant way,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“With the introduction of light rail and the redesigned bus network announced today, we will be able to significantly reduce the number of buses clogging the city’s streets and provide fast and reliable links for people to key destinations like the Prince of Wales Hospital, University of NSW, SCG, Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Central and Circular Quay.”

Bus improvements to be rolled out include improved bus interchanges in the city, more cross-city Metro style routes, reconfigured bus stops and higher priority for buses to move people through the city faster.

Key benefits of light rail and the redesigned bus network include:-A 97 per cent reliability rate for light rail, compared with buses in the CBD which currently only arrive within two minutes of the timetable 19 to 34 per cent of the time;-Journey times of 24 minutes to travel from Kingsford or Randwick to Central and 15 minutes from Central to Circular Quay. It can take buses more than 30 minutes to travel from Central to Circular Quay in the peak today;-A reduction per hour of more than 220 buses entering the CBD in the morning peak, benefiting customers who travel from the North, North-West and West on buses and are currently delayed due to congestion;-The introduction of brand new light rail vehicles that can carry up to 300 people each, compared with 60 people on a standard bus;-Light rail can carry 9,000 people per hour in each direction;-The potential to join two light rail vehicles for special events at Moore Park to move up to 18,000 people per hour in each direction.

Customers will be able to use their Opal card on light rail, meaning a seamless transfer from other modes.

The NSW Government will construct light rail down George Street and to the south east as a single project to speed up delivery of this crucial infrastructure and save significant costs.

Detailed work will now be undertaken to determine the final timetable for construction, which early analysis suggests will take five or six years. Work is expected to begin in 2014. It will be funded from the transport budget, third party contributions and a PPP arrangement, subject to testing the business case.

All east-west roads in the city will remain open and small delivery trucks and property owners will retain access to the pedestrianised zone on George Street at all times. The Government will examine how to best provide access for taxis and hire cars at night to support the night time economy.

“Building the spine of a new network through a major city like Sydney will obviously cause significant disruption, but through the planning process we’ll be working closely with retailers, businesses, councils and customers to manage these impacts,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in quality infrastructure and taking action that will give the people of Sydney the world class, reliable public transport system they deserve.”

Work continues on the 5.6 kilometre Inner West Light Rail Extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill, with construction on track to be completed in 2014. The current light rail line is about 7km.

Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen has welcomed today’s announcement from Infrastructure NSW of a $500 million extension of Sydney’s light rail network from Central to the Moore Park precinct and University of NSW.

“Randwick City Council has supported the return of light rail to the eastern suburbs for many years and it’s pleasing to see Infrastructure NSW prioritising this project for the next five years,” Mayor Bowen said.

“In short, light rail to Randwick provides a lot of bang for your buck. This will make it easier to get to... Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE

3 October 2012

Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen has welcomed today’s announcement from Infrastructure NSW of a $500 million extension of Sydney’s light rail network from Central to the Moore Park precinct and University of NSW.

“Randwick City Council has supported the return of light rail to the eastern suburbs for many years and it’s pleasing to see Infrastructure NSW prioritising this project for the next five years,” Mayor Bowen said.

“In short, light rail to Randwick provides a lot of bang for your buck. This will make it easier to get to the footy or cricket while also helping tens of thousands of commuters, workers and students.

“I’m also pleased to see the Government considering an extension of the eastern suburbs heavy rail line to Randwick and Maroubra as the next train line to be built,” Mayor Bowen said.

MEDIA RELEASE

3 October 2012

Randwick Mayor Tony Bowen has welcomed today’s announcement from Infrastructure NSW of a $500 million extension of Sydney’s light rail network from Central to the Moore Park precinct and University of NSW.

“Randwick City Council has supported the return of light rail to the eastern suburbs for many years and it’s pleasing to see Infrastructure NSW prioritising this project for the next five years,” Mayor Bowen said.

“In short, light rail to Randwick provides a lot of bang for your buck. This will make it easier to get to the footy or cricket while also helping tens of thousands of commuters, workers and students.

“I’m also pleased to see the Government considering an extension of the eastern suburbs heavy rail line to Randwick and Maroubra as the next train line to be built,” Mayor Bowen said.

“Randwick City is unique – no other area in Sydney contains four major hospitals, a leading university and TAFE, a nationally significant racecourse, major sporting stadiums and parklands and yet has no dedicated rail transport.

“While the proposal is welcome, I would like to see the Government commit to maintaining or improving the current bus services in the eastern suburbs and also consider providing a dedicated bicycle path alongside the light rail route.

“Light rail to Randwick will benefit not just the 11,000 workers who travel to the Sydney CBD each day, but also for our 42,000 UNSW students, 13,200 hospital and uni workers, 7,000 TAFE students, 400,000 race-goers and the millions more who go to concerts, games and events at Moore Park, Centennial Parklands and sporting stadiums each year.

“I’m pleased Randwick City Council’s ongoing partnership with the University of NSW, the Australian Turf Club, The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust and the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service is now paying off,” Mayor Bowen said.